How Can I Access Blocked Sites If VPN Services Are Blocked?
Hi there today I’m going to tell you How Can I Access Blocked Sites If VPN Services Are Blocked? Unrestricted access to information is more important than ever in the modern digital age. Regrettably, some websites and services are restricted by different authorities and establishments. Virtual private networks, or VPNs, have been a well-liked way to get around these limitations, but what should you do if the VPN services are prohibited as well? Do not be alarmed! This thorough guide will examine different ways to visit websites that are restricted, protecting your internet freedom.
Understanding Internet Censorship
There are several ways to censor the internet, including firewalls at offices and schools and limits enforced by the government. Access to social media, news websites, streaming services, and other websites may be blocked by these limitations. Sites may be blocked for a variety of reasons, such as organizational policies, security concerns, or political influence. The first step in figuring out how to get around these restrictions is to understand why and how websites become restricted.
Why VPN Services Get Blocked
Several methods, including DNS filtering, IP blocking, and deep packet inspection (DPI), can be used to restrict VPN services. In order to keep control over the flow of information, stop illicit activity, or enforce content policies, governments and other organizations may decide to block VPNs. Understanding these blocking strategies facilitates learning efficient workarounds.
Alternative Methods to Access Blocked Sites
When VPN services are blocked, several other methods can help you access restricted content. Let’s explore these alternatives in detail:
Proxy Servers
How Proxy Servers Work: Proxy servers function as go-betweens for your gadget and the internet. The proxy server retrieves the content from the website you request and sends it back to you. Because the server you connect to might not be prohibited, this can let you get around network restrictions.
Types of Proxy Servers: Proxy servers come in several varieties, such as web proxies, SOCKS proxies, and HTTPS proxies. Different degrees of security and anonymity are provided by each kind. The simplest proxies to use are web proxies, while SOCKS proxies offer increased security and performance.
Tor Network
What is Tor?: Anonymous communication is made possible by the free and open-source network known as Tor (The Onion Router). By directing internet traffic over a global volunteer overlay network, it hides usage and location information from traffic analysis and spying.
How to Use Tor to Bypass Censorship: Installing the Tor Browser is required in order to utilize Tor. With this browser, you can view prohibited websites anonymously because it is already set up to connect to the Tor network. Tor’s multi-layered encryption makes it quite effective at evading censorship, but it can often lag behind other techniques.
Smart DNS
How Smart DNS Works: By altering the DNS (Domain Name System) settings on your device, smart DNS services create the impression that you are accessing the internet from a different place. Smart DNS offers better speeds because it does not encrypt your traffic as VPNs do.
Advantages and Disadvantages: The speed of Smart DNS is its primary benefit. It does not, however, offer the same degree of privacy and security as Tor or a VPN. Although it might not be appropriate for sensitive activities, it’s a fantastic solution for accessing geo-restricted content, such as streaming services.
SSH Tunnels
Explanation of SSH Tunnels: A secure connection can be established between your device and a remote server via SSH (Secure Shell) tunnels. Your internet traffic is encrypted by this tunnel, which makes it more difficult for network administrators to restrict your access to particular websites.
Setting Up an SSH Tunnel: Access to a remote server with SSH capabilities is required in order to set up an SSH tunnel. You can create the tunnel using programs such as PuTTY (for Windows) or the built-in SSH client on macOS and Linux. After the tunnel is established, you can set up your web browser to use the SSH tunnel as a proxy.
Browser Extensions
Popular Browser Extensions for Bypassing Censorship: A number of easily installed and user-friendly browser extensions are available to help you get around internet censorship. Some of the more well-known ones are Hola, ProxMate, and ZenMate, which offer fast access to websites that are prohibited.
How to Use These Extensions: These extensions usually come in two forms: free and premium, with the premium versions offering faster and more dependable browsing. Install the extension from the browser’s extension store, adjust it if needed, and begin browsing.
Advanced Techniques for Bypassing Blocks
For more tech-savvy users, advanced methods offer robust solutions to bypass internet restrictions.
Shadowsocks
What is Shadowsocks?: Shadowsocks is an open-source proxy project specifically designed to escape internet censorship. It employs the SOCKS5 protocol to securely route traffic through a remote server.
Setting Up and Using Shadowsocks: You must configure the Shadowsocks client on your device and set up a server in order to use Shadowsocks. In areas with stringent censorship, this technique works very well, but setting it up requires some technical know-how.
Obfuscation
What is Obfuscation?: By using obfuscation techniques, your internet traffic is hidden and seems to be normal, non-VPN data. By doing this, you can get beyond complex firewalls that identify and stop VPN traffic.
How to Use Obfuscation Tools: Obfuscation features are available on several VPN services. You can also use programs like Obfsproxy and ScrambleSuit to disguise your traffic. These tools need to be configured, and a greater comprehension of network protocols can be necessary.
Custom VPN Solutions
Setting Up Your Own VPN Server: You have total control over the traffic going over your internet when you set up your own VPN server. To set up your own VPN server, you can use cloud services such as AWS, DigitalOcean, or Vultr.
Advantages of Custom VPN Solutions: Because custom VPN solutions employ distinct IP addresses, they are less likely to be blocked. Although they give more privacy and control, setting them up and keeping them up requires more technical know-how.
Staying Anonymous Online
Being anonymous online is essential for safeguarding your privacy and preventing consequences from getting over internet filtering.
Importance of Online Anonymity: Your online activity will remain anonymous, shielding you from any negative personal or legal repercussions.
Tools and Practices for Maintaining Anonymity: Make use of encrypted communication apps, anonymous browsers, and technologies like Tor. Use secure passwords, regularly delete your browsing history, and exercise caution when disclosing personal information online.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
You can interact freely and obtain information by avoiding internet restriction, but you should be aware of the ethical and legal ramifications.
Legal Implications of Bypassing Censorship: Violating internet limitations may result in legal ramifications based on your region. Know the rules and legislation in your area before attempting to get around censorship.
Ethical Considerations: Violating internet limitations may result in legal ramifications based on your region. Know the rules and legislation in your area before attempting to get around censorship.
Case Study: Accessing Blocked Sites When VPN Services Are Blocked
In a time when internet censorship is spreading more widely, people and organizations need to come up with creative ways to access content that is blocked. This case study looks at a real-world situation where internet constraints forced the use of alternate VPN bypass techniques due to the blocking of regular VPN providers. We will examine the difficulties encountered, the strategies put in place, and the results obtained.
Background
Company Overview
A nonprofit group called Digital Freedom Advocates (DFA) works to end internet censorship globally and advance open access to information. DFA works in a number of nations with differing levels of internet freedom, including some with stringent censorship regulations.
Problem Statement
Significant difficulties were faced by DFA in Country X in 2023 as a result of the government’s strict internet filtering policies. DFA used traditional VPN services, which were effectively blocked using sophisticated methods including deep packet inspection (DPI) and IP blocking. DFA used these services to securely communicate and access sites that were restricted.
Objectives
- Identify and implement alternative methods to bypass internet censorship in Country X.
- Ensure secure and reliable access to restricted websites and communication channels.
- Maintain online anonymity and data privacy for DFA members and partners.
Challenges
Advanced Blocking Techniques
The use of advanced techniques by Country X’s government to obstruct VPN services made it challenging for DFA to identify workable alternatives. Among these techniques were:
- Deep Packet Inspection (DPI): Analyzing internet traffic to detect and block VPN connections.
- IP Blocking: Blacklisting known IP addresses associated with VPN services.
- DNS Filtering: Redirecting DNS requests to prevent access to specific websites.
Limited Technical Resources
DFA lacked the technological know-how and resources necessary to build up and manage intricate systems. The company need techniques that were easy to use and could be swiftly implemented without requiring a lot of technical expertise.
Security and Anonymity Concerns
It was critical to protect DFA members’ and partners’ privacy and confidentiality. Any system put in place would have to make sure that people’s online activity could not be linked to them, shielding them from any negative consequences.
Solutions Implemented
Proxy Servers
How Proxy Servers Work
Proxy servers function as go-betweens for a user’s gadget and the internet. The proxy server retrieves the content from the website and sends it back to the user when the user makes a request. Network limitations may be circumvented as a result, as the server may not be blocked.
Implementation
DFA established a number of proxy servers in nations with lax internet regulations. They employed a combination of web and SOCKS proxies to offer varying degrees of privacy and efficiency. We sent instructions to DFA members on how to set up their browsers to use these proxy services.
Tor Network
What is Tor?
By means of a global volunteer overlay network, the Tor (The Onion Router) network allows anonymous communication by hiding a user’s location and usage from traffic analysis and surveillance.
Implementation
The pre-configured Tor Browser was meant to be downloaded and installed by DFA members in order to access the Tor network. This gave them anonymous access to websites that were prohibited. Additionally, DFA offered instruction on the secure and safe use of Tor.
Smart DNS
How Smart DNS Works
By altering a device’s DNS settings, smart DNS services give the impression that the user is accessing the internet from a new location. Smart DNS offers better speeds because it does not encrypt traffic, in contrast to VPNs.
Implementation
To provide its members with this service, DFA teamed up with a reputable Smart DNS provider. Members can now avoid censorship and access geo-restricted content by configuring their devices to use the Smart DNS service, thanks to comprehensive tutorials that have been produced to assist them.
SSH Tunnels
Explanation of SSH Tunnels
By establishing a secure connection and encrypting internet traffic, SSH (Secure Shell) tunnels make it challenging for network administrators to restrict access.
Implementation
DFA used SSH-capable remote servers to establish secure tunnels. Members received instructions on how to use the built-in SSH client for macOS and Linux, as well as utilities like PuTTY (for Windows). They were able to set up their web browsers to use SSH tunnels as proxies as a result.
Browser Extensions
Popular Browser Extensions
A number of browser extensions can be used to get around internet censorship. Popular extensions like Hola, ProxMate, and ZenMate were recognized by DFA as viable remedies.
Implementation
DFA produced a list of suggested browser extensions and offered setup and installation instructions. These extensions, which came in free and paid versions, provided quick and simple access to banned websites.
Outcomes
Improved Access to Restricted Sites
DFA was able to get around internet censorship in Country X by using a variety of techniques, including browser extensions, Smart DNS, SSH tunnels, proxy servers, and the Tor network. Participants noted having better access to communication channels and websites that had before been banned.
Enhanced Security and Anonymity
The adopted methods ensured that DFA members’ online actions could not be linked to them by offering strong security and anonymity. They were shielded from possible legal and interpersonal consequences as a result.
User-Friendly Solutions
DFA was able to implement user-friendly solutions that needed little technical knowledge even with limited technological resources. As a result, members were able to implement the new techniques right away and without requiring a lot of training.
Conclusion
When VPN services are down, there are other ways to access banned websites. The success of combining different techniques, including proxy servers, the Tor network, Smart DNS, SSH tunnels, and browser extensions, is demonstrated by DFA’s experience in Country X. Organizations and people can continue to have unfettered access to information by remaining aware of internet censoring tactics and putting a priority on security and anonymity.
